Tip #3: Keep updated with the latest in fashion trends and events

If you’re applying for the retail industry, I hope you’re passionate about it!

If you can name the latest fashion trends in the market, upcoming brand releases or where consumers are putting their money, you’re on your way to landing your dream job.

Interviewers love candidates who keep themselves updated with the latest in fashion trends and events happening within the retail industry (fashion week anyone?).

It tells them that you have the passion and capability to provide their company with the creative contribution they need.

How you can keep yourself updated

Follow and read the blogs of your favourite fashion magazines. They regularly produce content that lets you keep updated with the latest in fashion.

You should also be prepared to bring up a few trends that you think could be the next big thing. It is a great conversation starter to have with your interviewers (or hopefully, your future colleagues).

Tip #4: Show that you have the right attitude for the job

Here’s a neat fact I found: research studies demonstrated that specific attitudes have a high correlation to work performance.

Wait… what? Well, it basically means that companies want people with attitudes who fit the job.

There are several preferred attitudes within the retail industry:

Courteous

Attentive

Sociable

Try to showcase these characteristics during your interview!

How you can prepare

If you have a friend that’s working within the retail industry, ask them which attitudes their company values.

If you find out that you have the right attitude they’re looking for, prepare yourself by making sure that you bring up your positive characteristics during the interview.

Pro tip: Avoid slouching or crossing your arms across your chest during interviews. It conveys arrogance and resistance. Instead, move your hands naturally to make you feel more approachable when you’re answering their questions or telling your story.

Tip #6: Research the company you are applying for

Retail staff commonly resign because they were unclear of the expectations of the position they applied for. Nobody wants to find out they dislike the job halfway.

This means that you have to be prepared to research the company you’re applying for.

What you need to research about the company and job

What I normally do before going for interviews is to go online and look up the company. You should pay special attention to their:

Company Culture & Values
This information is usually easily available on their “About Us” page on their website. Look out for it and if you know someone on the inside, that’s a bonus and that person can just fill you in.

Work Environment
Apart from asking current employees, a neat trick to find out about their work environment is to ask the customers that visit the retailer. They might give you an idea about the store’s environment.

Job Description
Normally, job descriptions are detailed. Do not hesitate to prepare questions for the interviewers when there isn’t enough information about the job.

Over to you

Job interviews don’t have to be hard. All you need is good preparation.

With the tips I discussed above, I hope you’re all ready to beat your competition and ace your retail job interview! Say goodbye to sleepless nights and nervous breakdowns and say hello to your new job and upcoming pay-check!

If you have friends who are also nervously waiting for their interviews, help them out by sharing this article with them!

Don’t worry if you haven’t gotten your first interview yet, click on the button below to apply for a job:

Feel free to leave your comments if you need help with other job-related questions! We’ll do our best to answer them!

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Carousell is a mobile classifieds app that makes selling as easy as taking a photo, buying as simple as chatting. We believe that changing the way we consume things can make life more meaningful, and the world a better place.